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Re: What are the "basic" facts?
Posted:
Jun 23, 1995 7:35 AM
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Norm Krumpe said:
>
>I recognize one of the arguments against this: we can't possibly teach the
>multiplication algorithm if students don't know their multiplication tables.
>But I'm not quite sure how much I would agree with this argument. Besides,
>I have worked with many college students (including those planning on
>becoming mathematics educators) who know the algorithm, but still don't
>remember how much 7 x 8 is.
I am in learning assistance and get all those that haven't managed to beat
those algorithms and there is a pattern; most do not know multiplication
facts, (or addition, subtraction, division). I promptly glue a
multiplication table, (paper version), to their foreheads and this helps
considerably.
I wonder though, if a student hasn't memorized "the facts", do they have a
harder time following instruction coming at them from the front of the
class? Are they spending more time thinking, "Whoa, where did he/she get
that from?", and less time concentrating on understanding the new concept?
Multiplication facts come into play so often they truly are basic.
Memorizing them is like knowing the command keys on your computer; yes you
can look them up every time you need one, but it's a heck of a lot more
efficient if you don't have to.
Andy K
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A. Karassowitsch
Learning Assistance Teacher
R.L. Angus Elementary
School District #81 - Fort Nelson, BC Canada
<akarasso@cln.etc.bc.ca>
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